The San Diego Foundation has announced applications are open for its third $250,000 Blasker Award, focusing on innovative environmental science and engineering programs designed to reclaim polluted land.

The Blasker Award is made possible through the $11 million Blasker-Rose-Miah Endowment Fund, established in 1992 at the foundation.

Two other contests have already been announced by the foundation. Applications for the 1999 Blasker Award, which focuses on water supply sustainability programs, must be post-marked between Nov. 1 and Nov. 15, 1998. Applications for the 2000 Blasker Award, dealing with renewable energy programs, must be received by October 15, 1999.

All applications for the third annual award program are due by Oct. 15, 2000. The winning application will be awarded $250,000 in 2001.

Application may be obtained by visiting the Blasker Web site or writing the San Diego Foundation, Blasker Award, P.O. Box 81107, San Diego, CA 92138-1107.

The San Diego Foundation was created in 1975 and has assets of more than $190 million. It awarded more than $21 million in grants last year to a variety of cultural, educational, environmental and human services groups in the greater San Diego area.